North Korea to Open its Door to the World Economy

North Korea made a quiet yet big step toward the opening of its economy and unlocking its closed doors to the world, China’s government-operated Shinhwa News said on June 13.

Shinhwa News talked about the reality of the changing North Korea through a diary of the trip by the delegation, which returned from a week-long visit to North Korea from the end of April until the beginning of May in response to an invitation from North Korea. The head of delegation was Shi Shian (徐錫安), vice president of the company.

The delegation said they could observe signs of a “closed country,” which is based on the traditions of communism and the revolution, opening its door to the world economy while visiting factories and schools in Pyongyang, Myohyangsan and Kaeseong.

They said that they were surprised to see that groups of foreigners on traveling or economic partnerships in Yanggakdo Hotel and Koreo Hotel in Pyongyang, and that political chant has considerably decreased on Pyongyang streets.

They also mentioned that market economy is about to start since the operation of small, individual businesses and free leases of stores and land are allowed, and that the self-supporting accounting system for agriculture market and enterprises are taking into effect.

“The factory manager said that they are not able to sell products because of inventory shortage,” said the delegation, introducing a missionary textile manufacturing factory in Pyongyang, which produces clothing after receiving samples from South Korea and attaching the “Pierre Cardin” brand.

The delegation added, “We could see a changed North Korea, while looking at an increase of stores selling Chosun embroideries, landscapes, wild ginseng, and ginseng wine, and salespeople who struggle to sell as much as possible by speaking English and Chinese.”

Shinhwa News juxtaposed the diary of the trip with pictures of the billboard for “Fiat” car in Pyongyang and of a busy market selling imported products from South Korea, Japan, and China filled with North Korean people.

zsh75@donga.com